Highlights of this issue include:
- A Word from Andy+: Re-gathering as the Body of Christ
- Resumption of In-person, Outdoor Worship Sunday at 11:15 a.m.
- Lenten Adult Forum Series: Being Christian, Part 3 this Sunday
- Contemplative Walk in the Woods, Saturday, March 6
- Update on Southgate II Project
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Please join us for our in-person, outdoor service of Holy Communion Sunday, 11:15 a.m.
We are excited to resume our outdoor,
in-person service of Holy Communion on the South Lawn of the Historic Church. In compliance with guidelines, the service is limited to 50 worshipers. Sign up here.
You may also join us for a digital, livestreamed Service of the Word
on YouTube, Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
If you cannot join us for the live streaming at 9:00, you may watch the service on your own schedule. If you are not watching live, fast forward through the first five minutes to the start of the service.
All livestreamed worship services and Adult Forum sessions are recorded and available on our YouTube channel. To receive notices of new content, go to our YouTube page and click the red Subscribe button .
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Part Three of our five-part series on Being Christian, Sunday, 10:10 a.m.
Halfway through Lent, our Sunday forum pauses to consider what it means to be Christians at The Falls Church Episcopal. During this weekend’s session, we host our clergy - Andy, Matthew, and Mike - and ask them about their spiritual journeys of faith. Together we aim to seek God’s invitation to mission in our own contexts and in the context of this faithful community of believers that we form here at TFCE. Join us on Zoom to ask your clergy questions and share your own experiences of being a Christian in the world today.
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Love is the Way by Bishop Michael Curry Part 2, Sunday, March 7
As we intentionally enter into a partnership with The Church of the Epiphany, an urban parish in downtown Washington, the Rector, the Rev'd Glenna Huber, invites us to take part in Epiphany's Lenten series based on Bishop Curry's latest book, Sundays 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
"The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need in order to live the way of love: deep reservoirs of hope and resilience, simple wisdom, the discipline of nonviolence, and unshakable regard for human dignity."
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Lenten Spiritual Walk at Lake Accotink Park,
Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Krista Gauthier and the Adult Formation Committee offer you the opportunity to take a walk in the woods! Walking is a spiritual practice that yields so many benefits: replenishment of the soul, connection with the natural world, health and healing, and connection to others. Join us as we walk together in reflection and fellowship. If we have enough interest, our hope is to offer walks on Saturday afternoons at 3 p.m. We'll circulate a sign-up form on Mondays through Realm.
This week's walk takes place at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield. Please meet by the boat rental area. We are limited to 20 walkers; sign up here.
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This week's Youth Forum activity is available here
Youth Groups meet Sunday, March 7 in person
We are moving back to outdoor small groups instead of Zoom meetings. Group members will be notified about when their group is meeting. If you are not sure you are registered for a group, please email John to confirm registration.
Youth are expected to maintain proper social distancing AND wear a mask at all times while at Youth Group. Youth are also encouraged to bring their own foldable lawn chairs (instead of using a chair from the church).
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We Are Continuing Our Special Sunday Lenten Children's Series With A Sunday Focused On
Talking About Our Emotions With Others And God
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Children's Ministry Presents
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Sunday, March 7 – Sunday, March 14
Sunday, March 7:
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9:00 a.m. – Live-streamed Service of the Word with the Decalogue and Penitential Order
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9:45 a.m. – Children's Formation (email Lauren for information)
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10:00 a.m. – Coffee Hour/Adult Formation (click here to join)
- 11:15 a.m. – In-Person Worship, South Lawn of Historic Church
- 3:30 p.m. – Workshop with Dr. Carla Messenger
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Middle & High School Youth Groups (email John for information)
Monday, March 8:
- 6:30 p.m. – EfM Seminar
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8:00 p.m. – Compline
Tuesday, March 9:
- 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Staff & Liturgy Planning Meetings
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6:00 p.m. – Evening Prayer
Wednesday, March 10:
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10:00-11:00 a.m.– Foyer Group – Interim Rector’s Bible Study (email Andy for more information or to join)
Thursday, March 11:
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7:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer
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7:00 p.m. – Foyer Group studying Being Christian led by Tiffany Smith
Friday, March 12:
Saturday, March 13:
- 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Historic Church open for Quiet Prayer
- Noon - 1:00 p.m. – Silent Witness against Racial Injustice (Broad St.)
- 3:00 p.m. – Lenten Walk in the Woods (location TBA)
Sunday, March 14:
- 9:00 a.m. – Live-streamed Service of the Word with the Decalogue and Penitential Order
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9:45 a.m. – Children's Formation (email Lauren for information)
- 10:00 a.m. – Coffee Hour/Adult Formation
- 11:15 a.m. – In-Person Worship, South Lawn of Historic Church
- 2:00 p.m. – Prepare dinner for Bailey's Crossroads Shelter
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Middle & High School Youth Groups (email John for information)
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Service of the Word offered this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. livestreamed
Holy Communion offered this Sunday at 11:15 a.m. Outdoor, In-Person Service
Dear Falls Church Family,
It is hard to believe that it is almost a year since the pandemic interrupted our common life and our desire to be present with each other as a part of Christ’s body. Our last service inside our church naves was on March 8 last year. I am so grateful for the patience and love with which we have responded to this great disruption in our lives individually and as a church family. I am grateful that we have been so respectful of each other and the virility of this pandemic and we have kept everyone safe as we could. I want you to maintain hope and energy for the long haul of these days. I pray none will lose the strong sense of God’s never-failing presence with you and all of us.
But there is light brimming ahead! I am excited to let you know that our Bishop has revised the guidelines that will allow us again safely to gather outdoors for worship and celebrate the Holy Eucharist and receive Communion directly or spiritually together outside. We are incarnational people in which we recognize that God infuses the ordinary material world with God’s own holiness and divine life. One of the most significant ways we remember and participate in this faith reality is by sharing in the sacraments, especially the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The liturgy of Communion in so many ways shows the world and ourselves who we are in Christ. We are the Body of Christ. When we gather together and offer our bread and wine and monetary gifts which are representative of our life and labor, God blesses them and gives us back God’s very life itself. We become what we eat! Guidelines and more
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A Word about Southgate Shopping Center Development from Former Senior Warden Paul Allvin
Dear Falls Church Episcopal congregants:
Hello! I hope this finds you well. If you have been by church property lately, surely you have seen significant progress on the development of Southgate II, formerly the big parking lot directly south of our church complex.
As construction moves forward, Father Andy asked me to refresh our collective memory on this topic, as we have not discussed it since pre-pandemic, which seems like a lifetime ago. While the management of diocesan real estate spanned several years, the development of Southgate II was a centerpiece of my service as vestry senior warden in 2018-2020. Read more
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Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 14
A reminder that we "spring forward" soon and clocks should be set ahead one hour before bedtime on Saturday, March 13th
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Lilies for Easter
Contributions to help decorate our sanctuaries with Easter Lilies for Easter are welcome. Any amount is appreciated, but the cost to TFCE is usually about $20 each. If you'd like your donation to be in memory of or in celebration of a loved one, please add this information to your memo line of the check - and we will post it in the service bulletin for Easter Day. Please submit your dedication to the front office no later than Sunday, March 21.
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Information on vaccine availability (current as of March 4):
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The Fairfax County Health District includes Fairfax County, the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and the Towns of Herndon and Vienna. Residents of these locations can get their vaccine through the Fairfax County Health Department. Federal and state first responders should see their agencies for details.
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You may also call 703-324-7404 from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online registration is preferred, but phone registration is available.
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Silent Witness against Racial Injustice on Saturday, March 13 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Members and friends of The Falls Church Episcopal ae invited to join Falls Church Presbyterian Church for the next Silent Witness protest on Broad Street. Participants are asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Protests are held alternate Saturdays, rain or shine.
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Prepare dinner for Bailey's Crossroads Shelter, Sunday,
March 14, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
For several years, The Falls Church Episcopal has been preparing dinner on the second Sunday of each month for the people staying at the Bailey's Crossroads Community Shelter. We have gone back to cooking the meal at TFCE in a responsible and safe manner. Here's what we need:
* Make cupcakes at home and bring to the church
* Cook the beans at home and bring to the church
* Cut up the onions and peppers at home and bring to the church
* Cook the meat and rice at church and assemble the burritos and put them into trays. Put the beans, onions and peppers, and rice into large trays for delivery. Masks and gloves are mandatory at all times and we will use both the kitchen and Fellowship Hall to help socially distance.
* Deliver the trays and cupcakes to the shelter
* Clean up the kitchen and Fellowship Hall afterwards
Please use the SignUp Genius to volunteer.
If you have any questions, please contact David Raglin at [email protected] or 703-835-1198; or Barb Mantegani at 703-835-1194.
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Make sandwiches for those in need
Make sandwiches or bag lunches for drop-off at the Bailey's Crossroads Shelter or New Hope Housing's Eleanor Kennedy Shelter near Ft. Belvoir.. Please see the attached flyer and contact Sami Smyth at 703-799-2293 x11 or [email protected] for more information.
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The Little Free Food Pantry
On Fairfax Street near the church’s Thrift Shop is a small “take some food, leave some food” pantry (like the “little libraries” where people can take or leave a book). We are definitely seeing people use that pantry to supplement their groceries, and you can drop off non-perishable food items there at any time.
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Organ Stewardship Reflection
Much has been made in recent weeks about the continuing work of this church during a pandemic. We have been able to serve, and to worship, continuously. We had to change the way we meet, but we are meeting. We had to change the way we worship, but we are worshiping. One important aspect of our worship, especially in the Anglican tradition that is our heritage, is raising our voices to God through music. The music program at the Falls Church Episcopal is still going strong, taking our music making to a virtual platform, and recently, back in the sanctuary.
But it is our hope in a faithful God that one day soon we will be able to worship together again as a whole community in person. That day will be one of celebration and triumph. It will be filled with the essential tool of our worship - music. But to get to that day, we have to be prepared. And one of the preparations that we find ourselves in need of undertaking is the necessary restoration of the bedrock of our musical worship in the Historic Church, the Shantz Organ. This magnificent and essential instrument of our worship is in need of updating and repair, so that it can continue to be the centerpiece of our musical life in the Historic Church.
And so it is with a spirit of gratitude for the opportunity to worship with the music that is part of our spiritual life, that we come to you, the parish, to ask for your help in preparing us all for our return to the physical church. We have announced a campaign for the restoration of the Shantz Organ (click link for video) in the Historic Church. This is an undertaking that will cost the church $30,000. The repairs will start very soon, taking advantage of the fact that we are not currently using the space. However, we ask the parish to consider what the musical tradition of this church, and of our faith, mean to each of you, and we ask for your financial help to achieve this goal.
We will be announcing further details of the campaign in the days to come, but in the meantime, the church has set up an “Organ Donation” fund that you may contribute to, either on Realm, or by sending a check to the church with “Organ Donation” written on the memo line. We do this because although we have never stopped worshiping, we look forward to the day when we can worship together, singing and praising God, and doing so with glorious music.
Geoff Kannan
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The Falls Church Episcopal historic church is more than 250 years old, and the grounds on which it stands carry vestiges of the entire sweep of American history.
The Falls Church Episcopal welcomes you to our church grounds to “Hunt for History,” a scavenger hunt list that offers you, family, friends, and neighbors a way to get fresh air while maintaining vital social distance. You can:
· Spend time together as a family or friends, or or visit in contemplative solitude on the picturesque and historic grounds of The Falls Church Episcopal.
· Learn American history, and pass it on it to children and newcomers in our community.
“Hunt for History” features 19 items that mark the life of the church and the nation, from their beginnings in colonial America to the pre-revolutionary era, to the building’s 250th birthday that was just celebrated in 2019.
The brochure is available in three locations around the church grounds. Thanks to Paul Allvin for his wonderful work on this project!
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TFCE Nave Open for Private Prayer Saturdays
The Historic Church is open for silent prayer each Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We ask everyone to wear a mask, and use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the Sanctuary. Please click here for rules and expectations. Questions? E-mail Parish Administrator D'O Dillard.
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We are still checking the mail and depositing checks!
Please mail your check to:
115 E. Fairfax Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
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Donate safely and securely through our website.
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Text “TFCE” and the amount to 73256.
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Are you shopping more online these days? If you’re buying more items from Amazon, please consider adding The Falls Church Episcopal to your AmazonSmile account. With every purchase you make, the church earns a small percentage. Simply click here to
add us to your account!
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Parish Prayer List: Prayers & Transitions
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Please use the Prayer List in your prayers for each other and the world.
Praying for each other and the needs of the world is a powerful way to love our neighbors as ourselves! THIS WEEK’S PRAYER LIST
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Here are some ways to enhance your spiritual journey at home as suggested by the Washington National Cathedral.
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